Unearth The Voyage
North Carolina’s soul food scene is alive and thriving, from bustling Charlotte kitchens to cozy Asheville eateries. Whether you crave crispy fried chicken, buttery mac and cheese, or perfectly seasoned collard greens, the Tar Heel State delivers unforgettable flavors. These restaurants honor tradition while serving up plates that feel like home-cooked love on every fork. Get ready to discover the spots locals swear by and visitors can’t stop talking about.
1. Mert’s Heart & Soul (Charlotte)
Uptown Charlotte’s beloved comfort food destination has been filling bellies and warming hearts for years. Mert’s serves low-country soul classics that make you want to slow down and savor every bite. Their menu reads like a greatest-hits collection of Southern cooking, with cornbread so buttery it melts on your tongue.
The shrimp and grits here are legendary, creamy and packed with flavor that transports you straight to the Carolina coast. Fried chicken arrives perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy within, paired with collards cooked just right. Don’t sleep on the Soul Rolls, a creative twist that keeps regulars coming back week after week.
Service feels genuine and welcoming, exactly what soul food dining should be.
2. La’Wan’s Soul Food (Charlotte)
South Charlotte knows where to go when hunger strikes and only real soul food will do. La’Wan’s has built a loyal following with their generous portions and honest, flavorful cooking. The all-you-can-eat lunch buffet on select days is the stuff of local legend, drawing crowds who know good value when they taste it.
Their meat-and-two plates offer classic Southern comfort without any pretense or fuss. You pick your protein, add two sides, and suddenly the world feels a little brighter. Everything comes piping hot, seasoned with care, and served with a smile that makes you feel like family.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you why soul food matters.
3. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food (Charlotte)
Family recipes passed down through generations make Nana Morrison’s something truly special across Charlotte. With multiple locations including Oak Lake and Corning Place, they’ve spread the love citywide. This isn’t corporate cooking or trendy fusion; it’s grandma’s kitchen scaled up with the same tender care.
The fried chicken plate deserves a standing ovation, golden and crunchy with meat that practically falls off the bone. Pair it with their mac and cheese, which strikes that perfect balance between creamy and cheesy. The candied yams bring sweetness that complements the savory beauties on your plate.
Every bite tastes like Sunday dinner at someone’s beloved home.
4. Benne on Eagle (Asheville)
Asheville’s culinary scene gets elevated to new heights inside The Foundry Hotel at Benne on Eagle. This isn’t your typical soul food joint; it’s Appalachian soul with refined technique and seasonal ingredients. Chef John Fleer brings expertise and creativity to dishes that honor tradition while pushing boundaries.
The catfish and trout specials showcase local waters and Southern preparation methods with restaurant-quality presentation. Weekend brunch here is an absolute must, blending comfort and sophistication in ways that surprise and delight. Expect ingredients you recognize prepared in ways you might not have imagined possible.
It’s soul food for the modern mountain town, respectful yet innovative throughout.
5. The Chicken Hut (Durham)
Since the 1950s, Durham’s Chicken Hut has been doing one thing exceptionally well: serving lunch-hour fried chicken that makes people rearrange their schedules. This institution operates on weekdays with limited hours, so timing your visit matters. But when you catch them open, you’re in for a treat that’s stood the test of time.
The fried chicken box with greens is simplicity at its finest, no frills or fancy sides required. Crispy coating, tender meat, and greens cooked with just enough seasoning to make you close your eyes and smile. It’s the kind of meal that makes you understand why some restaurants don’t need to change.
Perfection doesn’t require updates or trends.
6. Big Ed’s (Raleigh)
Old-school Southern breakfasts are alive and thriving at Big Ed’s across three Raleigh-area locations. City Market, North, and Garner each serve up country cooking that starts your day right. Walking in feels like stepping back to a simpler time when breakfast meant real food, real portions, and real hospitality.
The country ham and biscuits are textbook perfect, salty and savory with flaky biscuits that deserve their own fan club. But those pancakes steal the show, arriving so large they hang off the plate edges. You’ll need serious appetite and maybe a nap afterward, but every bite is worth the commitment.
Breakfast lovers consider this hallowed ground for good reason.
7. Raleigh Soul Kitchen (Raleigh)
Downtown Raleigh’s Bragg Street houses a kitchen pumping out fast, fresh, and seriously flavorful soul plates. Raleigh Soul Kitchen focuses on to-go orders, perfect for busy folks who refuse to compromise on taste. Speed doesn’t mean shortcuts here; everything arrives hot, properly seasoned, and satisfying.
The catfish platter showcases how well they handle seafood, crispy outside with flaky fish inside. Wings come coated in just enough breading to add crunch without overwhelming the meat. Classic sides round out every plate, from creamy mac to perfectly cooked vegetables that actually taste like vegetables.
It’s convenient soul food done right, no dining room needed when the food speaks this loudly.
8. Simply Soul Restaurant (Winston-Salem)
Winston-Salem’s neighborhood favorite has locals hooked on turkey wings, oxtails, and other stick-to-your-ribs specialties. Simply Soul Restaurant delivers exactly what its name promises: straightforward, honest soul food without unnecessary complications. The atmosphere feels welcoming and unpretentious, where everyone’s treated like a regular even on their first visit.
Turkey wings over rice are the signature move here, falling-apart tender with gravy that ties everything together beautifully. Oxtails offer another rich, deeply flavored option for those who appreciate slow-cooked perfection. Check hours before heading over, as this gem operates on its own schedule.
Small operations often serve the biggest flavors, and Simply Soul proves that truth daily.
9. Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails (Greensboro)
Greensboro’s city center got a flavor upgrade when Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails opened its doors. This spot blends traditional soul food favorites with a modern lounge vibe that works surprisingly well. The atmosphere shifts from daytime dining to evening entertainment, making it versatile for different occasions and moods.
Fried chicken here is prepared with care, arriving crispy and well-seasoned alongside your choice of classic sides. But the cocktail program deserves attention too, offering drinks that pair beautifully with rich, savory food. Stay after your meal to enjoy the lounge atmosphere and see why locals have embraced this concept.
Soul food and cocktails together create something special worth experiencing firsthand.
10. A’Leurer (Greensboro)
Greensboro’s newer soul-forward restaurant and bar spotlights elegance in every bite, just as their motto promises. A’Leurer brings energy to the scene with events and live music that transform dining into an experience. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement, especially on weekends when special plates and performances coincide.
Weekend plates showcase seasonal creativity while respecting soul food traditions that matter to the community. The bar program complements the food beautifully, and the live music adds another layer of enjoyment. It’s where culinary tradition meets contemporary culture, creating something fresh yet familiar at the same time.
This spot proves soul food can evolve while staying true to its roots and purpose.
11. Flavors Restaurant & More Flavors (Fayetteville)
Fayetteville benefits from two sister locations dishing out oxtails, pork chops, and daily specials that keep regulars circling back. Flavors Restaurant & More Flavors doubled down on what works, spreading the love across town. Both spots maintain consistent quality and generous portions that make you feel valued as a customer.
Oxtails here are cooked until they surrender completely, rich and tender in deeply flavored gravy. Smothered pork chops offer another winning option, paired perfectly with creamy mac and cheese. Daily specials keep the menu interesting and give you reasons to return throughout the week.
Two locations mean twice the chances to satisfy those soul food cravings properly.
12. Mary Lee & Mike’s Soul Food (Fayetteville)
Laid-back counter service doesn’t mean compromising on flavor at Mary Lee & Mike’s Soul Food. This Fayetteville spot keeps things simple and delicious with crowd-pleasing turkey wings and fried pork chops. The no-frills approach lets the food do all the talking, and trust me, it has plenty to say.
Turkey wings over rice and gravy are the move here, tender meat that’s been cooked with patience and proper seasoning. Fried pork chops provide another satisfying option when you want something different but equally comforting. The casual vibe makes it perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners without fuss.
Sometimes the best meals come from the most unpretentious places around town.
13. Nippy’s Soul Food Restaurant (Wilmington)
Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington houses Nippy’s Soul Food Restaurant, serving casual soul plates that hit the spot. Located inside or alongside the 1504 RestoBar complex, it offers convenient access to comfort food done right. The setup keeps things straightforward so you can focus on what matters most: the food on your plate.
Fried chicken and fish both shine here, giving you tough choices between equally delicious options. The candied yams bring that perfect sweet contrast to savory proteins, balancing your plate beautifully. Portions are generous without being wasteful, and everything arrives hot and ready to enjoy immediately.
Coastal Wilmington has soul food worth seeking out beyond the beaches and boardwalks.
14. George’s Soul Food (Wilmington)
Small operations with big flavors describe George’s Soul Food perfectly in Wilmington. This local go-to serves hearty plates and sides that make residents feel grateful for neighborhood gems. The size doesn’t limit the taste or quality; if anything, the focused approach ensures everything meets high standards.
Daily specials keep the menu exciting and give you reasons to visit multiple times weekly. Whatever protein and sides are featured, you can count on proper seasoning and careful preparation. The banana pudding deserves special mention, providing sweet closure to your savory meal with creamy, dreamy perfection.
Sometimes the smallest kitchens produce the meals you remember most fondly years later.
15. Parker’s Barbecue (Greenville)
Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue meets soul food sides at Parker’s Barbecue in Greenville. This beloved institution serves more than just smoked pork; their fried chicken rivals the barbecue for attention. The combination of both traditions on one menu makes Parker’s a destination for anyone serious about Carolina cooking.
The combo plate lets you have it all: barbecue plus fried chicken with classic sides like mac and cheese and hushpuppies. Banana pudding here is legendary, the kind of dessert that makes you plan your next visit before leaving. Everything tastes authentic and time-tested, recipes perfected through decades of service.
It’s where barbecue tradition and soul food excellence meet on one incredible plate.
